It is important for students to know about the indigenous people of North Carolina. It is important to learn about the Native American’s culture before the effects of colonization.
Geography of North Carolina
The geography of North Carolina is vital to know when studying the state. The geography effected colonization, economic development, and growth. It is also important for students to understand the geography while learning about events in various locations.
Spanish exploration and settlements in North Carolina
Normally when a student thinks about colonization they associate it with the English. The Spanish also took part in the exploration of North Carolina and should be studied in the history to provide a thorough explanation of North Carolina cultural diversity.
English exploration and settlements in North Carolina
English settlements are the most well known in North Carolina. These settlements are where the area first began to develop. Students can learn about where the roots of this state were first established.
Immigration to North Carolina from neighboring states
North Carolina did not receive many settlers due to the dangerous coastline. As a result of this many settlers in North Carolina expanded down from Virginia. It is important for students to know where many of these first settlers came from.
Early North Carolina towns
Students need to know about North Carolina’s earliest establishments. How they ran their governments and how they lived as a community. Learning about these original towns shows the students the foundation this state’s government was built on.
Colonists and Native Americans cohabitation
Students need to know the true relationship between the Colonists and Native Americans. How the Natives were treated and how they lived along side of the colonist. This will provide students with a better sense of cultural awareness.
Development of North Carolina colonies
The development of North Carolina colonies shows the students where our original government was formed and how it functioned. By learning about these colonies students will have a better understanding of our state’s earliest development, economics, and society. These early colonies set the tone for modern day North Carolina life.
The Lords Proprietors and early government
It is important for students to understand how our earliest forms of government functioned. Learning about this time period will allow students to better understand the reasons behind the American Revolution and our justifications behind our modern day government.
American Revolution
It is important for students to understand the factors that lead up to the revolution. This will give students a better appreciation for our current form of government and the benefits it brings us. Students also need to know what role North Carolina took in establishing this country.
Process of North Carolina becoming a state
Students need to understand how North Carolina fit in to the newly formed United States. Students should understand the process that the state had to go through to be part of this new government. This time period was vital for the country’s survival. The decisions and the laws that were made in this time period created the foundation for the government we have today.
Raleigh as the new Capitol
Many do not know that Raleigh was not always the state’s capitol. It is important for students to know about the original capitol and why the capitol was moved. Raleigh was not the urban area it is today; it is interesting to see how Raleigh grew and developed into what it is today.
North Carolina higher education
As students will already know North Carolina has a large higher education system. Many of these schools have interesting and unique history that intertwines with predominate historical figures. Students should know how these schools were funded. These schools are still around today and students will be very familiar with them. Students will be interested in learning about their history and may encourage them to look into the schools even further.
Development of the western part of the state
The exploration and settlement of the east coast is discussed in great detail, but some of the time the western part of the state gets left out. Students will enjoy learning about this different section of the state. This would be a great opportunity to compare and contrast different types of North Carolina Cultures.
North Carolina gold rush
When many think of the gold rush they only think about the California gold rush, but there was a smaller one that happened here. This gold rush brought many into North Carolina and helped boast our economy. Students will be interested in the thought of discovering gold in their home state.
North Carolina as “Rip Van Winkle”
It is important for students to understand the reasoning behind North Carolina’s slower development. The effects of this slower development can still be seen today in some aspects of the state. This section is an excellent way of showing students how the past effects the present.
Trail of Tears
The trail of tears is a sad but important part of American history. It is important for students to understand how our government treated the Native Americans. North Carolina played a small role in the trail of tears because many of the Natives chose to hide in the mountains of North Carolina instead of leaving their homes. Students need to know about this section in our history so they understand the pain that is caused by conflicts between cultures. This section would promote the idea of tolerance.
Plantation life in North Carolina
The majority of North Carolina landscape was rural at this point in our history. It is important for students to understand how life was like on the plantations. By studying plantation life students will get a better understanding of our early economy and communities. Students will be able to see how the state developed and grew.
North Carolina agriculture
Agriculture and farming have a huge impact on North Carolina’s economy. Students need to understand how vital our crop production was and is to our growth and development. Through this unit students will learn to appreciate the agriculture that supports our state.
Industrial Revolution
The industrial revolution was a turning point in both North Carolina and American history. The industrial revolution brought North Carolina into the modern era we know today. Students can learn about the history of the innovations we see as common today. Through this section students can gain an appreciation for communication, transportation, and production.
Trade
Even though North Carolina had difficulties exporting goods, trade was still a large part of North Carolina’s economy. By studying the trade in and out of North Carolina, students can learn how commerce functioned during this time period. Without trade North Carolina would have never survived.
Slave trade
It is important for students to learn about the slave trade. Slavery was a large part of North Carolina pre-civil war history. Students should know about where many of the slaves came from, the route they took, and the conditions during travel. This is another dark part of our history but it is important for students to know about it and learn from the past.
Slavery
Much of the plantations and agriculture were supported by slave labor in North Carolina. Slaves made up a large part of the population. Students need to learn about what slave life was like for an average North Carolina slave. Students need to know about slaves living conditions, culture, work, and influence on North Carolina. It is important that this topic is not ignored or brushed over. It is a large part of our past and needs to be displayed for students to get the complete picture.
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad is a very interesting and intriguing topic in history. This topic will show students how slaves united and escaped the atrocities they had been subjected to. This is a great time to display slave narratives, show students how people worked together, and show how people went against the law to do what is right.
Antebellum NC
This is an interesting period because it was the calm before all the turmoil associated with the civil war. Students can learn about what lead to the civil war during this period. By looking into this period students will get a better understanding of the causes of the war and what life was like during slavery. This information will be good to know for comparing and contrasting pre and post slavery.
North Carolina and the confederacy
North Carolina was undecided for but before the state separated from the United States. Students should learn about the factors that lead up to this decision so they can better understand why North Carolina became a confederate state. It is also important for students to know what life was like in the confederacy and how it differed from the United States.
Civil War
The civil war was another dark time in our history. It is important for students to understand why countrymen were fighting their fellow countrymen. So many people died during this time. Students should understand the devastations that come as a result of a country fighting within itself.
State constitution and revisions
Before North Carolina could rejoin the union they had to make several large changes to the laws. These changes are still ones we see today and lay the groundwork for civil rights. Students need to learn about these new constitutions to better understand the evolution of our state.
Reconstruction
It is important for students to see the effects that war has on state. Students need to understand what it takes to piece a state back together after a war. It also is significant for students to understand the changes North Carolina had to make to rejoin the United States.
Women’s rights movement in North Carolina
The women’s rights movement is often overshadowed in American history. It is key for students to know that women did not always have the rights they have today. It is important for students to see the hardships and the change that was brought through the women’s rights movement. This will allow students to become more appreciative of the rights we have today. It is also an excellent way to show how average people can make a big impact on the government.
The Biltmore
The Biltmore is a very famous tourist spot in North Carolina. The Vanderbilt family has a rich history with the state and the country itself. It is key for students to know the effects the Biltmore and the Vanderbilt family has had on North Carolina and America’s economy and industry. This is a great example of how American history and North Carolina’s history intertwine.
World War I
Students need to learn about the first major global war in America’s history. It is key for them to understand the cause and effects of this war, America’s contribution and losses, and the atmosphere in North Carolina during this time.
Military Relations with North Carolina
The military is a large part of North Carolina’s economy and population. Many students will have connections with the military. It is important for students to know when and why this relationship with the military began. It is also good for students to know the benefits to the economy that the military brings.
The Great Depression
The great depression is a time that affected the entire country. It is important for students know how it affected our state. During this section student can learn about the stock market, banking, federal reserves, and much more about the economy. Students can also relate to this topic because of the current recession we are in.
Prohibition
This is a very intriguing time in history that students will enjoy. This section shows the law making and appealing process. This time period also displays the birth of organized crime and how it affected the citizens and the economy. This portion of North Carolina history has a more social and relatable tone.
World War II
North Carolina does have a large military population and contributes a lot to the war effort. Students should know how WWII affected North Carolina from halfway across the world. North Carolina citizen’s contributed to the war through drafts and production. Highlighting this war will show students how war affect those at home as well.
Civil rights movement in North Carolina
Students need to know about the limited rights that African Americans’ had before the civil rights movement. They need to understand the struggle people went through during the civil rights movement to truly appreciate the freedoms we have today. North Carolina was a hot spot for civil rights movements and injustices. Students need to learn both the dark and the light side of our state’s past.
Modern day North Carolina government
Students need to know how our modern day government functions. If we want students to be active and knowledgeable citizens it is vital for them to understand what makes up our government, our laws, and the voting process.
North Carolina and the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a dark part of America’s history. It is important for students to understand the political issues surrounding this war. It is also key for the students to know what part North Carolina played the war and the anti war movement.
North Carolina and the film industry
A large part of North Carolina’s economy depends on the film industry. It is important for students to understand why the film industry is drawn to North Carolina and how it effects the our economy.
People
Giovanni de Varrazano
He should be noted within North Carolina history because he was the first European to explore the North Carolina coastline. He marks the beginning of European exploration and settlement, which lead to the North Carolina we know today.
Sir Walter Raleigh
Although he never actually came to North Carolina, he had a huge impact on our past. Students will recognize the name from the capitol. He sponsored the first European settlement in North Carolina. By studying him students will learn how European aristocrat system affected life in North Carolina.
Virginia Dare
She is known as the first child born to English parents in America. Her fame and the mystery surrounding her disappearance will be very intriguing to students. Learning about her and her family will allow the teacher to dive into the mystery and the history of the lost colony.
Nathaniel Batts
He is interesting to study because he is the first permanent settler in North Carolina. He is important for students to know because he marks the very beginning of our states population growth.
Andrew Jackson
He is a person from North Carolina we can all be really proud of. Students will feel inspired that a fellow North Carolinian advanced to president of the united state. He will hopefully be an inspiration to students.
Blackbeard
Students will find studying pirates interesting and surprising. Due to our large coastline, pirating was large in the waters outside of North Carolina. This Pirating made trade difficult and affected the lives of many. Students will be very surprised to learn that pirates were not usually looking for gold; they wanted goods.
Edward B Dudley
He was the first North Carolina Governor to be elected by popular vote. I think that this is very important for students to note because he displays the shift to a democratic government.
Thomas Day
He is one of the most unique men in North Carolina history. By studying day students will learn about what life was like as a freedman. His story is inspiring by learning how he made a living for himself. Students will be intrigued by the fact that he himself owned slaves.
Susie Sharp
She was one of the first women to enter the world of politics in both North Carolina and America. She displays the changes that the women’s rights movement made in the state of North Carolina. She is also a great role model for female students looking into the world of politics
Henry E Frye
He was the first African American chief justice in the North Carolina Supreme Court. He displays the changes that the civil right movement made in the state in North Carolina, although it took a long time. He shows students what results can come from hard work and determination.
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People